For the 30th anniversary of the Seaside Prize, the Seaside Institute will formally present the award to Victor Dover and Joe Kohl at the awards ceremony on February 3, 2024, by Seaside, FL Founder, Robert Davis. The ceremony will be hosted at The Chapel at Seaside, the central event of a weekend dedicated to reflection, celebration, and inspiration. The SEASIDE Institute™ will recognize Victor Dover and Joe Kohl, founders since 1987 of the Miami-based town planning firm, Dover, Kohl and Partners.

The prize, which is awarded annually, celebrates individuals or organizations whose life’s work or accomplishments are emblematic of the Institute’s mission of inspiring livable communities. The celebration will take place the weekend of February 2 through February 4, 2024, with a variety of events and symposia themed, “New Urbanism: Frontiers Remain.”

“The Seaside Prize is a testament to the tremendous impact Victor Dover and Joe Kohl have had on the built environment. Their collective expertise has the power to inspire future generations of architects, urban planners, and community developers to shape cities that are connected, livable, and sustainable,” said Seaside Institute Director, Christy Milliken.

The 2024 honorees, Dover and Kohl, are known for their work as reformers, revitalizing traditional towns, fixing sprawl, creating new neighborhoods, and citywide and regional plans. They have been leaders in integrating better collaborative methods and meaningful citizen involvement in city planning reform.

While their work is international in scope, examples are local, as well: the firm designed the restoration plans for historic Downtown Panama City, FL, and its surrounding neighborhoods.

“The Seaside Prize is a testament to the tremendous impact Victor Dover and Joe Kohl have had on the built environment. Their collective expertise has the power to inspire future generations of architects, urban planners, and community developers to shape cities that are connected, livable, and sustainable,” said Seaside Institute Director, Christy Milliken.

The Seaside Institute will formally present the Seaside Prize to Victor Dover and Joe Kohl at the awards ceremony on February 3, 2024, by Seaside, FL Founder, Robert Davis. The ceremony will be hosted at The Chapel at Seaside, the central event of a weekend dedicated to reflection, celebration, and inspiration.

Have you been hunting for your next favorite vacation rental? Center Stage is ready for its close-up. The spacious apartment – located in the heart of town, directly above Bump + Baby by the Seaside Style – offers enough room to spread out with your whole family.

Center Stage has two king beds and a bunk room with six twins, offering the perfect sleepover for you and 10 of your friends or family. You’ll overlook the Seaside Amphitheater, all of the shops, and of course, there are sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico from the porch, where you’ll want to spread out while snacking on meals from Modica Market. You’re only 125 steps from the beach.

This Central Square favorite recently underwent major renovations. Now, the vacation rental boasts an updated aesthetic, including Gray Malin art and perfectly preppy Serena & Lily wallpaper. The kitchen has all new custom cabinetry and updated kitchen appliances. And there’s brand new slipcovered furniture in the living room, complete with a frame TV, so you can spread out after a long day at the beach. The updates also include a brand new dining area and seating on the outdoor deck perfect for al fresco meals.

To book, contact the Homeowner’s Collection at (855) 411-1557.

This summer, Paul’s Pick of the Crop offers everyone’s seasonal favorites, including their most popular item, sun-ripened tomatoes — heirloom, large red, and assorted colors of cherry and grape tomatoes. Add shelled peas and okra for the greens. “We are looking for a good year of summer veggies,” Paul says.

Derryck’s Pastries’ unique cuisine offers guests to sample the spice of a Sri Lankan life.

Need an all-natural snack that even your kids will love? Try Veronica’s Health Crunch. Made with some of the best nuts you can eat, naturally sweetened with honey and cranberries, this is one snack that will definitely need a secret hiding place.

Sunset Ranch of Escambia Farms brings the best beef, poultry, pork and eggs, all raised the natural way, grass-fed, non-GMO, and hormone-free.

Locally brewed in the Florida Panhandle, Noli South Kombucha makes craft small batch USDA Certified Organic kombucha. The fermented tea is crafted by husband and wife entrepreneurs Steve and Summer Kole. @noli_south

Sirmon Family Farm offers gluten-free baked goodies, including layered toffee bars, carrot cake, flavored breads and a variety of cookies.

Pickle lovers can try a variety of flavors, including jalapeno, horseradish, kosher and garlic. Look for the bright green tent.

The town of Seaside has a rich culture pertaining to its restaurants. As many locals and visitors agree “Barefoot BBQ” has the best barbecue in our area and is an amazing spot to eat while in Seaside, as evidenced in an article titled “North vs South: Where to find the best BBQ in America” that features their food.

Barefoot BBQ was chosen alongside “4 Rivers Smokehouse” to represent Florida in the battle of the barbecue. This article highlights Barefoot BBQ’s most prominent attributes. Author LeeAnn Huntoon shares that “the food truck features hormone, steroid, and antibiotic-free meats and produce that is locally grown” along with other key characteristics of the Airstream restaurant. Barefoot BBQ is unique in the way its food is prepared and is the only restaurant in this article with such clean and healthy meat. A quality that certainly contributes to their amazing food.

The famous Airstream offers delicious BBQ with a wide selection of meats and side dishes. Their barbecue includes pork, chicken, beef, and ribs. They also have a great selection of sides, including baked beans, mac and cheese, corn on the cob, and more. As if their barbecue wasn’t enough, They also have items on the menu such as chicken fingers, corn dogs, and tuna dip. To round out the menu, they also offer sandwich options, including portabella, chicken salad, and tuna sandwiches.

Barefoot BBQ is the perfect restaurant to represent not only Seaside but all of Florida. Stop by next time you’re in town and see what’s so special about Barefoot BBQ.

Cabana by The Seaside Style® has always been at the forefront of fashion. The store regularly carries top brands like La Vie Style House, Queen of Sparkles, Crosby by Mollie Burch, etc., but they also like to entertain customers with exciting pop-ups to keep things fresh. This past week, July 3rd to 7th, Cabana was thrilled to host Red Dress Boutique® and its founder Diana Harbor.

Red Dress Boutique® is an affordable online boutique that carries women’s clothing and accessories and is based out of Athens, Georgia. You can only find items from Red Dress through their online storefront. Every order is handled with care and comes with a handwritten note. Red Dress Boutique® got its start in 2014 when founder Diana Harbor had a successful pitch on Shark Tank where she teamed up with Mark Cuban and the rest is history.

While at Cabana, Diana launched a new collection that she designed. This new collection was inspired by Harbor’s countless adventures to SEASIDE® and surrounding areas, she mentioned while being interviewed for a local news article. The collection includes many brightly colored, nautical-themed pieces.

The pop-up was a major success and many of the styles sold-out in less than a day. Fans of Red Dress Boutique® visited Cabana to meet Diana while she introduced her new designs.

Anyone who missed the in-store pop-up can now find the new collection from Red Dress Boutique® online on their website. Either way, the next time you’re in town, stop by Cabana to shop the latest trends and timeless feminine styles. With fresh, new inventory daily and exclusive pop-ups, Cabana always has something new and fabulous to discover!

Best Breakfast Spots on 30A

Black Bear Bread Co.

This all-day café offers pastry cases full of homemade baked goods for breakfast and beyond, as well as a full menu. Visit its two locations, one in Seaside and one in Grayton Beach,

Great Southern Café

For those looking for classic Southern breakfast plates, plus special bites like beignets for the table, this bungalow located in Seaside serves up one of the most popular breakfasts on 30A. It’s also open for lunch and dinner, but make sure to pencil in time for the often-long waitlist

Best Lunch Restaurants on 30A

Airstream Row

More of a collection of unique Airstream food concepts, this area is smack-dab on the main 30A drag in Seaside. Head to Frost Bites for Hawaiian shave ice, Barefoot BBQ for smoked meats and sides, The Meltdown for artisanal grilled cheeses, or Wild Bill’s Beach Dogs for a quick lunch bratwurst with all the toppings. Try a gyro at Gyro Hero, a sweet or savory crepe at Crepes du Soleil or a healthy drink at the Green Stream.

Taco Bar

Just steps away from Seaside’s Coleman beach access, this taqueria serves up Mexican cuisine and margaritas that you can take to-go as you walk around nearby shops or head back down to the beach. It’s also an ideal place to grab kiddos a quick snack when they get hungry.

Best Dinner Restaurants on 30A

Bud & Alley’s

It’s easy to recognize this iconic dinner restaurant, which has arguably the best view in the area of the sunset and the Seaside Obelisk. You can make reservations for the downstairs portion of the restaurant, but the upstairs deck is first-come-first-serve (and offers the prettiest view). Make sure to try Bud’s legendary crab cakes! It is also open for lunch.

Best Dessert Spots on 30A

Modica Market

This small family-run grocery and gourmet deli has been a staple in Seaside for over 30 years and was featured in the locally-filmed “The Truman Show.” While you can drop in from morning to night for any essentials or premade items from the deli counter (including breakfast biscuits), one of the biggest draws is the colorful pastry case filled with layer cakes. Choose from over 10 kinds of cake and pie by the slice. On a lucky day, you can get the homemade banana pudding before it sells out.

Dawson’s Yogurt & Fudgeworks

This throwback frozen yogurt joint in Seaside’s town circle is known to accrue quite the long line during the busy season. Order soft-serve, fudge, and even its beloved chocolate-covered Key lime pie on a stick.

The Seaside School, Inc., the oldest operating public charter school in Florida consisting of Seaside Neighborhood School (grades 5-8) and Seacoast Collegiate High School (grades 9-12), is delighted to announce the selection of Dr. Thomas Miller as its new Executive Director. Dr. Miller, a seasoned education professional with over 20 years of experience, including 15 years in charter school leadership, brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for personalized learning to lead the school into the future.

Under the guidance of Dr. Miller, the organization is excited to embark on an ambitious expansion of Seacoast Collegiate High School in partnership with Northwest Florida State Collegein Walton County. Dr. Miller’s expertise in strategic planning and his commitment to providing students with a college and career preparatory education will be instrumental in this endeavor. By fostering strong relationships and collaborations with Northwest Florida State College and the local community, Dr. Miller will ensure the successful execution of the expansion project, allowing Seacoast Collegiate High School to offer even more students the opportunity to excel academically and thrive in a supportive and innovative learning environment.

“Dr. Miller’s impressive track record in charter school leadership and his unwavering dedication to personalized learning make him the perfect candidate to lead our school into the future,” stated Kavanaugh Tucker, The Seaside School, Inc. Board Chair. “We are particularly excited about his expertise in strategic planning, which will be invaluable as we embark on the ambitious expansion of Seacoast Collegiate High School in partnership with Northwest Florida State College. With Dr. Miller at the helm, we are confident in our ability to provide an exceptional college and career preparatory education to even more students, fostering their academic excellence and success in a supportive and innovative learning environment.”

“I am honored to have been selected as the next Executive Director for The Seaside School, Inc.,” said Dr. Miller. “I firmly believe in the potential of all students to achieve at the highest levels. My focus will be on serving the educators in our community, empowering them to personalize instructional methods and meet the unique needs of each learner while also fostering a student-first learning model. Together with the dedicated professionals at The Seaside School, Inc., I am eager to provide effective leadership and support to create a safe and nurturing learning environment, as well as oversee the exciting expansion of Seacoast Collegiate High School. I truly believe that in partnership with Northwest Florida State College, we will make a positive impact on the Walton County community both educationally and economically.”

Born and raised in Pennsylvania, his professional career has been mainly focused in North Carolina, most recently in Raleigh. Dr. Miller holds a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration from UNC-Wilmington. His extensive experience as an educator, coupled with his deep understanding of personalized learning and student success, make him an ideal fit for the role of Executive Director at the Seaside School.

The public is invited to join The Seaside School, Inc. for a special welcome reception for Dr. Miller on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 from 4pm-6pm at North Beach Social in Santa Rosa Beach.

Seaside is forever immortalized in the classic film “The Truman Show” featuring Jim Carrey. Much of the film takes place in Seaside, and many filming locations are still recognizable.

“The Truman Show” is a staple of Seaside, but the upcoming “Barbie” movie may be a new town favorite. Fans of the forthcoming Greta Gerwig film have created a unique theory about the film’s plot that includes “The Truman Show” and Seaside.

The theory starts with a leaked Letterboxd account that supposedly belongs to lead actress Margot Robbie. The account claims that Gerwig (director of the “Barbie” movie) drew inspiration from “The Truman Show.”

This sparked a lot of debate about the plot, which was kept secret until the first trailer aired. Many seemed to believe Barbie will try to leave Barbie Land only to be met with opposition, similar to what Truman experienced in the 1998 film. This is an intriguing idea that brings the two films together, but the connections don’t stop there.

Twitter user @janejackobs pointed out the similarities between Barbie Land and the town of Seaside. An overhead shot of the pastel fantasy land shown in a promotional photo looks very similar to Seaside, as both have similar layouts. These photos led people to believe the rumors about shared plot points could be true.

To top it all off, Redditor u/visionaryredditor reported that people who saw the test screenings compared the movie to “The Truman Show.”

Whether or not the upcoming movie takes inspiration from Seaside remains to be seen until the film premieres on July 21.

Still, it’s fun to theorize about the famous doll’s adventures around our favorite beach town. Be sure to keep an eye out for Seaside when you watch the Barbie movie this summer.

Summer is a great time to try some new sports. Some might even help you with your tennis game.

Pickleball is the new craze. Volleys are extremely important in pickleball. Getting to the “kitchen” line is the way to win. The reactions you have to a pickleball are similar to what you have playing tennis. It’s a little slower, and the paddle is a little less responsive, but the constant motion you need to win in pickleball will translate somewhat to your tennis volleys. And don’t forget to “dink.” Your tennis drop shot needs help, too.

Badminton is an underrated sport. That weak tennis overhead you have can be greatly improved with some badminton play. The motion is identical, and since you’re usually playing in sand, your footwork will improve, too. Touch shots are also helpful to both sports.

Beach volleyball is incredibly taxing and very helpful with footwork. You get some useful feedback back from a simple underhand serve, which is very much like the lob you need to use on the tennis court. And an overhand serve or spiking motion helps both your serve and overhead in tennis.

Bike rides are wonderful in the summer. They are non-weight bearing and fairly easy on the body. The conditioning you get though is beneficial to all aspects of your life. And in that third set when you get tired, it would be nice to be in better shape than your opponent.

Beach walks are wonderful for your legs. Stretching those muscles out is going to improve your flexibility and help you to reach that final shot you need on the tennis court. Plus, the relaxation you get can be used to calm the mind.

Before your next big point, take a big breath and recall that nice beach walk. It’ll get you past some of your anxiety. And you need it! I’ve seen you people look like you’re about to explode playing tennis.

Nearly every sport or activity you can add will benefit your tennis game. Seaside is full of fun activities and adventures. Use summer to enjoy these experiences and see what they can do for your game. See you on the courts!

Schedule:

Tennis Eye Opener Clinics, Mon-Sun. 8 – 9 a.m., Mon.-Thurs. 9-10 a.m., and Mon-Thurs. 10-11 a.m.

Tennis Round Robins, Fri.-Sun. 9 -10:30 a.m.

Intro to Pickleball, Mon. 10-11 a.m. (except holidays)

Courts are open for play daily 8 a.m.- dusk. Please call (850) 231-2214 to reserve courts, book lessons or sign-up for clinics and round robins. Find 30A TENNIS and SEASIDE TENNIS on Facebook for weather updates, news and events.

The Seaside School, Inc., Florida’s oldest continuously operated public charter school and No. 1 combination public charter school in the state of Florida, announced the launch of the Seacoast Collegiate High School (SCHS) Expansion Project in partnership with Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC). This multi-million-dollar project will further expand the partnership between SCHS and NWFSC by providing a permanent home for SCHS at the South Walton Campus of NWFSC, as well as developing a high school dual enrollment center for all students in Walton County. In addition, the new facility will include “The Accelerator,” which will offer training, mentoring and collaboration to new area businesses and entrepreneurs.

“Walton County and the surrounding areas are currently experiencing rapid growth,” said Patrick McCarthy, Seaside School Foundation President. “We believe investing in the people of our community is necessary now more than ever. By expanding this partnership between two historically successful institutions, we will make Walton County an even better place to live and thrive.”

Currently, ninth and 10th grades at SCHS operate in five classrooms that are leased from NWFSC at the South Walton Campus. Students in 11th and 12th grades attend classes on the Niceville Campus of NWFSC. With this project, The Seaside School, Inc. will be able to consolidate all high school students at the NWFSC South Walton Campus, as well as expand the collegiate programs to more students in Walton County by adding instructional space for students in grades nine through 12, as well as the community.

“Our goal is to create a vibrant epicenter for not only dual enrollment education but also higher learning opportunities that will not only benefit our students, but will provide all high school students in Walton County more access to a college education and fulfill their educational goals,” said Kim Mixson, The Seaside School, Inc. Chief Academic Officer.

NWFSC is providing five acres of land on which The Seaside School, Inc. will construct new educational facilities consisting of three additional buildings for both SCHS and NWFSC classrooms, shared lab space, “The Accelerator” for workforce development, continuing education, and other workforce preparedness opportunities for the community, as well as green spaces to unite the campus.

“Our college’s commitment to provide expansive educational and training opportunities for the citizens of Northwest Florida is evidenced once again in this strong partnership with Seacoast Collegiate High School. We believe dual enrollment opportunities are the key to advancing educational attainment in our region and in Florida,” said Dr. Devin Stephenson, President of Northwest Florida State College.

Despite the growth, SCHS holds strong to their core values of providing a small learning environment with a focus on students’ individual learning needs and independence in combination with a collegiate program. Over the last decade, SCHS has experienced great success and growth with the anticipation of graduating a class of 60 students this spring. The school has consistently had a 100 percent graduation rate and more students qualifying for the Bright Futures Scholarships than any other high school in Walton County as well as continually earning top academic scores.

“Our school has spent over 25 years supporting our students and their community. This project will allow us to remain committed to fostering a high level of academic achievement for our students while providing them with skills to contribute to the area’s business community,” said The Seaside School, Inc. Director of Strategic Development, Joy Robbins. “Currently, our high school students are working on earning their Associate of Arts degree, but with this level of growth and expansion, we will be able to offer our students the opportunity to earn an Associate of Science degree with a concentration in Business Management.”

The next step in this project is to secure funding and letters of support from stakeholders, community members, and through a variety of philanthropic initiatives led by the Seaside School Foundation whose primary mission is to take a long-term approach to raise, invest, and spend funds in support of The Seaside School, Inc. and to steward those funds so they provide support in perpetuity.

“The Seaside School Foundation is excited to bring our community along in this great adventure that involves the School community and so much more. We are not just building a high school that will serve only our students, we are building a dual enrollment center that will enroll and serve other high school and college students throughout Walton County.” said Teresa Horton, Executive Director of the Seaside School Foundation. “The generosity of donors and philanthropic support is essential to make this very important project and vision a reality. A comprehensive center that provides an outstanding education, innovation, leadership, workforce development, continuing education and so much more, is definitely a worthy investment.”

For more information on the Seacoast Collegiate High School Expansion Project including naming and gift opportunities, campus renderings, and upcoming informational sessions, visit SeasideSchools.net. The Seaside School, Inc., hopes to break ground on the new facilities this year with doors opening to students in 2025.